This Woman Requested Mental Health Days And Got The Kindest Response From Her Boss

"I can't believe this is not standard practice at all organizations."

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@madalynrose

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By Lilian Min

Jul 13, 2017

Most people that I know are scared of calling in sick to work, even if they're actually sick. While some of this has to do with wanting to hoard future vacation days, there's a larger stigma around taking sick days in general, because productivity culture can be a monster.

But Madalyn Parker, a web developer and rabbit mom (!) shared a story that gives me faith in both good bosses and in the changing, destigmatizing dialogue around mental health.

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Parker posted an email exchange with her employer Olark's CEO Ben Congleton, and it's gone viral since. After sharing that she'd be out of the office for two mental health days, Congleton replied:

"Hi Madalyn,

I just wanted to personally thank you for sending emails like this. Every time you do, I use it as a reminder of the importance of using sick days for mental health — I can't believe this is not standard practice at all organizations. You are an example to us all, and help cut through the stigma so we can all bring our whole selves to work."

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When the CEO responds to your out of the office email about taking sick leave for mental health and reaffirms your decision. 💯 pic.twitter.com/6BvJVCJJFq

It is incredibly hard to be honest about mental health in the typical workplace. In situations like this, it is so easy to tell your teammates you are 'not feeling well.' Even in the safest environment it is still uncommon to be direct with your coworkers about mental health issues. I wanted to call this out and express gratitude for Madalyn's bravery in helping us normalize mental health as a normal health issue.

Here here, to continuing to talk about mental health practices not just in private, but in the professional (really, rest of the) world.